Gladson v. State

Weltner, Justice.

Misdemeanor accusations were lodged against Laura Joanna Gladson and James Lee Powell, charging that they were persons required by OCGA § 19-7-5 to report child abuse; that they had reasonable cause to believe that two children under the age of 18 had been assaulted sexually; and that they knowingly and wilfully failed to report such abuse to an appropriate agency providing protective services.

Gladson filed a general demurrer and a motion to dismiss the accusation; Powell filed a plea in abatement and a motion to dismiss the accusation. The primary thrust of these defenses is…